How does the Earth Float in Space and not Fall?

If the earth were really alone, it would actually just float in space. There would be no place to fall to.

But the earth is not alone. Fortunately it is locked into an orbit around the sun, held there by the force of gravity. 

You can think of the earth's motion this way. It is always trying to fall toward the sun. Because it is whirling around the sun in a circular path, it is also always trying to whirl out into space.

Those two forces work against each other perfectly to keep the earth in its orbit.